FX heads to 'Beach' for spring fling
Stern Prods.' lifeguard show first orginal series for cabler
Slated to air in the first quarter of 2000, "Son of the Beach" will star Timothy Stack ("Nightstand With Dick Dietrick"), who will team with Stern, David Morgasen and James R. Stein as the show's exec producers. The series follows the life of an idiot lifeguard named Notch Johnson who joins sexy sidekicks weekly in order to keep the shores of Malibu Adjacent free from trouble.
" 'Son of the Beach' is a show we believe can be a breakout hit," said FX prexy Peter Liguori. "Conceptually, the show is genuinely funny, and Tim shows a classic extension of what he does so well."
According to Stern's agent, Don Buchwald, the series was an easy sell.
"We presented this idea to a half dozen companies who loved it, but it was FX who loved it the most because it hits the exact target they are striving for," said Buchwald. "Howard will be a true collaborator on the project, examining scripts and working on story outlines," he added.
"When Tim pitched 'Son of the Beach' to our company," said Stern, "I said this is a TV show I would watch. My fans will love it ... I know we will justify the courage and commitment FX has made in us."
Stern recently sealed a deal with Film Roman and UPN for 13 episodes of the toon "Doomsday," for which he will lend his voice. Show is slated for a fall 2000 bow. He already has a syndicated latenight show and a series at cabler E! on the air.
FX is in the midst of adding to its already budding original slate of programming, with "Son of the Beach" expected to be the centerpiece of two to four shows slated for spring. According to FX execs, "Beach" should anchor a spring programming lineup.
"Although we were sold on the concept before Howard came aboard, there is no other partner I can think of that adds this kind of edgy dimension," said Jeremiah Bosgang, the cabler's senior veep of development and research. "FX will continue to develop exciting series, and Howard and Tim are going to play a big part in that."
Bosgang said more series in development would receive a greenlight in coming weeks.
